April 16: I can almost count my first cousins with one hand. I can if I count only those that are still with us. My dad was an only child so my cousins are all on my mom’s side of the family. My mom and her sisters are close and they wanted our families to spend time together. My cousins and I grew up spending many holidays, summer vacations, and special events together. My mom and her sisters each had one daughter and we are more sisters than cousins. Even our brother’s wives are more like sister-in-laws. I am blessed to be part of such a family.
When children started to arrive the cousins made a point of continuing what our mother’s started. We wanted the new generation of cousins to experience the same close aunt/uncle/cousin relationship that we did. In addition to special family events, new traditions were formed — our annual Mother’s Day Brunch and Gingerbread House Decorating Day to name a few. Many of these events involve something creative for the kids (and adults who want to participate) to do. The youngest cousin of this new generation is now almost in high school. Yet we continue with our traditions, even creating new ones like Easter Egg Dying Day, because we all still enjoy spending time with one another and art projects are a great way to just sit and socialize. It’s the modern version of a Quilting Bee.
The creative activity has evolved. Adults are no longer supervising and helping; they are now their own artist. The kids are way beyond the simple act of dropping an egg into a cup of dye and they aren’t as interested in art projects as they used to be. So we challenge ourselves to introduce new techniques, materials and themes to a traditional art project.
Yesterday was our 2nd (??) annual Easter Egg Dyeing Day. Hmmm, how many times does an event have to occur before it’s considered a tradition, I wonder. It’s risky starting a new tradition like this. Once the youngest is off to college will we even continue with these creative family events. Or will they evolve to something like Spa Day. Anyway, there are lots of new techniques for dying Easter Eggs and one I heard about from a friend sounded exactly like the Shaving Foam Mandalas my mom and I made a few months ago so I had to try it. Instead of shaving cream use whipped cream. Instead of spray ink use food gel. Instead of instantaneous results wait 30 minutes. Instead of wiping the foam off the paper, rinse the cream off the egg. And there you have it – a tie dyed egg. You can create a similar effect with a lot less mess using a Paas Tie Dye kit, but sometimes messy is more fun and in this case there’s the extra added bonus of being able to lick whipped cream off your fingers.
I’m so grateful for my family of cousins and even more grateful for the fun and meaningful ways in which we spend our time.
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❤️❤️❤️